If particles of a slinky spring are moving perpendicularly to the propagation of the waves, then waves in the slinky spring will be:
Correct answer: C. transverse waves
- A. matter waves
- B. electromagnetic waves
- C. transverse waves
- D. longitudinal waves
Explanation
When the particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction in which the wave travels, the wave is transverse. If they vibrated along the direction of travel, as in compressions of a slinky, the wave would be longitudinal.
This question appeared on the UHS MDCAT 2026 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.
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About Progressive Waves
Progressive waves transfer energy through a medium or space while particles oscillate about their equilibrium positions. The work includes amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period, phase difference, wave speed and the progressive wave equation, while distinguishing travelling waves from stationary waves, where the pattern has fixed nodes and antinodes.
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